The consequences of medical ethics violations in drug distribution.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia has pleaded guilty to multiple charges linked to the illegal distribution of ketamine, implicated in the death of actor Matthew Perry. This plea signals increased accountability and oversight in treatment practices, as Plasencia admitted to making treatment decisions that contributed to Perry’s passing. His agreement to surrender his medical license and the potential for a lengthy prison sentence highlight the serious implications of the case on medical ethics and drug regulation.
In a significant development in the case surrounding the death of actor Matthew Perry, Dr. Salvador Plasencia has pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the illegal distribution of ketamine, the drug implicated in Perry’s accidental overdose. The plea was entered during a court hearing held on July 23, 2025, and marks a crucial step towards accountability in the case.
Dr. Plasencia pleaded guilty to four counts of the distribution of ketamine. As part of his plea agreement, he admitted to making treatment decisions that contributed to Perry’s death, acknowledging his role in the illegal drug distribution network that supplied Perry with large quantities of ketamine. His attorney described him as “profoundly remorseful” and indicated that he is accepting responsibility for his actions.
In line with his guilty plea, Plasencia has agreed to voluntarily surrender his medical license, recognizing his failure to adequately safeguard Perry’s health. He is currently out on bond and will remain so until his sentencing hearing scheduled for December 3, 2025. At sentencing, he faces a potential maximum sentence of 40 years in prison—with 10 years possible for each count—as well as a fine of up to $2 million.
Matthew Perry was found dead on October 28, 2023, from the “acute effects of ketamine” and subsequent drowning, with authorities ruling his death as accidental. The investigation began months after Perry’s passing, with law enforcement agencies opening a formal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his overdose.
In August 2024, approximately ten months prior to Plasencia’s guilty plea, charges were filed against him and four others, including Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and other key figures connected to the drug distribution network. The authorities allege that Perry sought ketamine illegally, despite ongoing therapy for depression and anxiety, highlighting the complex interplay between prescription drug use, mental health, and illicit drug procurement.
Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in assistant, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. Evidence indicates that Iwamasa was part of the distribution chain responsible for supplying Perry with the drug. Another accused, Erik Fleming, admitted to providing the ketamine that resulted in Perry’s death and pleaded guilty to multiple charges.
Dr. Mark Chavez, another defendant involved in the case, also pleaded guilty to drug distribution charges. Conversely, Jasveen Sangha, commonly called the “Ketamine Queen,” has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial in August. Evidence suggests that Sangha managed an underground network responsible for ketamine sales in the Los Angeles area.
Investigators found that Plasencia had obtained ketamine through a clandestine network, with evidence indicating contact with multiple drug suppliers. It was revealed that Perry paid up to $55,000 in the month prior to his death for ketamine, often through encrypted messages that included mockery about Perry’s willingness to pay high prices for the drug.
Further, there are records showing that Plasencia instructed Iwamasa on how to administer the drug to Perry, despite Iwamasa lacking any formal medical training. This oversight raised serious ethical concerns and prompted investigations into medical malpractice and illegal drug distribution involving healthcare professionals.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that the actions of Plasencia and others involved represent serious violations of medical ethics and public safety. The case is viewed as a pivotal example of how illegal drug networks exploit individuals seeking mental health treatment and highlights the challenges of regulating at-home ketamine therapy.
The authorities anticipate that the case will lead to more stringent oversight of the at-home ketamine industry and stricter regulations on medical professionals providing treatment outside traditional clinical settings. Prosecutors also see the case as a warning to both drug dealers and medical practitioners about the severe consequences of participating in illegal activities related to controlled substances.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia’s guilty plea signifies a major development in the investigation into Matthew Perry’s death, exposing the network of illegal drug distribution that contributed to his overdose. The case underscores ongoing concerns regarding unregulated at-home ketamine use and highlights the importance of strict enforcement of drug laws and medical ethics to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia Guilty of Illegal Ketamine Distribution
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